This course introduces a broad range of perspectives on African visual cultures by focusing closely on three cultural groups: the Akan and the Yoruba of West Africa, and the Kongo of Central Africa. Each of these groups is comprised of many ethnic groups with unique and well documented histories that long precede Europe's supposed "discovery" of Africa in the 15th century. Beginning with a lot of the archaeological treasures of each region's ancient history, we will continue by examining the many roles of visual images in cultural contexts before, during and after the era of European Colonialism, as well as in Diasporic transformations. The images in question will be diverse, such as sculpture in several media, beadwork, architecture, ceramics, textiles, medicines, museum displays, photographs, digital images, and spectacular performances. Discussion topics will be thematic and cross-cultural, for example: How do images both reflect and constitute the political life of a people? How does the spiritual power to cure or to harm come to reside within images? Can an image really be a god, or only a representation of the god? How do images communicate without words, encoding in form what cannot be said out loud? How do images call viewers to remember the past, to understand the present, and to imagine the future?

Intended Audience: The course would be appropriate for wide-range of students (even first-year students) from virtually any discipline or concentration, who feel they would like a more intensive introductory experience of the Art and Visual Culture of Africa than that offered by HISTART/CAAS 108.

Class Format: The class will meet twice a week, and will combine lecture and discussion. At least one fieldtrip to the Detroit Institute of Art is planned.

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.